Legendary Hospitality AUGUSTA Meeting Professional Toolkit VISITAUGUSTA.COM 1 We Set a Legendary Standard We’re glad you are considering Augusta, Georgia, for your next convention, meeting, or event. Augusta’s River Region is a multifaceted gem, making it the ideal destination to suit your needs. Our city is poised for unprecedented growth and opportunity over the next several years. Burgeoning potential shows in our new hotels; in the influx of cyber security companies making Augusta’s River Region home; in the unique restaurants, breweries and distilleries fueling our visitors; and For over 125 years, hospitality has been in the exciting new stadium for the Augusta Green Jackets, South the heart of Augusta, and that heart Atlantic affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Augusta is enhancing old favorites and keeping downtown funky with James Brown-inspired beats strong amid the ingenuity and artwork. From maintaining the gem of the Augusta Canal to our innovation of today’s prosperous modern take on the historic downtown trolley tour, Augusta keeps its and thriving community. traditions alive with a new vitality. If you are meeting at the downtown Augusta Convention Center, you Craft & Vine can stroll the Riverwalk during breaks or head down Broad Street for shopping and a cup of locally roasted coffee. Meet outside the city limits at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, with breathtaking views of wildlife and wide-open space. We invite you to “Get On Up” in Augusta and let the Augusta CVB team assist you in planning your next event. Sincerely, The Guest Experiences Team Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau 2 AUGUSTA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU VISITAUGUSTA.COM 3 Our Story A Legendary Tradition t first, they came to escape the For over 30 years, the competition A cold northern winters. Drawn to attracted a mostly local audience, but in Augusta, Georgia, in the late 1800s by the 1964, television coverage drew spectators mild climate, presidents, industrialists, from across the globe. The event sold out, and socialites stepped down from private and the flower-studded beauty and grace rail cars to winter at resort hotels dotting of Augusta was displayed on a world stage, the landscape of the classic Southern confirming its well earned reputation for city. William Howard Taft and John tradition, hospitality, Rockefeller were among the luminaries and heritage. “Thank you so much for working to make our whose names graced the guest registries As it has for over 80 years, the Masters® of properties such as the Bon Air Hotel Tournament continues to offer an department’s certification course a success. The and Partridge Inn, and heirs to the Singer opportunity to share in the celebration visitor information you provided made it easy Sewing Machine Company were often in of excellence that has made it the world’s for them to enjoy the dining and local activities, residence during the winter months. most prestigious sporting event; and the which fosters the idea of coming back to enjoy the Moderate temperatures also allowed city is proud to welcome those who arrive equestrians to house their horses, and each April to share the time-honored rich history of the City of Augusta.” polo matches became places to see traditions that mark this rite of spring. —Curtis Briscoe, Government Meeting Professional and be seen by the social set, creating For over 125 years, hospitality has been a culture of refinement that added to at the heart of Augusta, and that heart the region’s appeal. Without snow to beats strong amidst the ingenuity and hamper outdoor activities, Augusta soon innovation of today’s prosperous and became known as the “winter golf capital thriving community. There are those of America,” representing the epitome of drawn to the Garden City by the mild luxury, elegance, and Southern hospitality climate, but alongside the banks of the that stretched well into the twentieth Savannah River they also discover an century for this new breed of Augustans. Augusta that is alive for a new generation. With its place well established as a resort This is a city that celebrates the city’s arts destination, Augusta was a natural choice and culture, flourishes with its dynamic for the nation’s most famous amateur recreational opportunities, revels in the golfer to select as the location for a golf renewed appreciation of the region’s course and club. The course opened storied past, and pulses with a contagious in December of 1932, hosting its first vitality that promises a bright tomorrow invitational tournament in 1934. for the new Augustan. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park 4 AUGUSTA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU VISITAUGUSTA.COM 5 5. Downtown Walkability While in Augusta, there’s rarely a need to hail a ride. Augusta’s walkability and mild climate allow guests to walk from their meeting space to restaurants, museums, shopping, and nightlife. There are over 30 locally owned businesses in a three-block area. TOP 5 SOUTH CAROLINA GEORGIA Reasons to Meet in AugustaReynolds St 15th St The River Golf Club 13th St Augusta Savannah River E Shoreline Dr 14th St Riverwalk Ellis St 1. Us 3. Affordability Jones St The Augusta CVB prides itself on Some of Augusta’s most attractive Springfield Morris Museum Reynolds St of Art making each meeting and event amenities are the reasonable rates and Village Park Jessye Norman in our city remarkable. As locals unique yet affordable dining options. Amphitheatre Augusta is dedicated to delivering the ourselves, it’s our mission to provide Augusta trusted insight and knowledge highest quality at nominal cost, so you Broad St Jo Ellis St Convention hn 13th St to make every trip to Augusta a can C truly enjoy every minute. Center Ca legendary one. From customized lho un E Augusta xp 12th St culinary guides to group-specific y Augusta Cotton Exchange landing pages, we offer unparalleled Common St. Paul’s 4. Local Fare Telfair St 11th St Church attention to every single guest. Greene St James Augusta’s thriving culinary scene 10th St Imperial Theatre Brown combines locally sourced ingredients Statue Broad St Osler Ln in exciting twists on Southern 2. Location favorites and beyond. From the best Miller Theater 8th St Augusta Museum Whether a group15th is St coming from traditional Southern barbeque to the Walton Way of History Bay St another state or within Georgia, access latest modern fare, this chef-driven Visitor Center James Brown Blvd 7th St off Interstate-20 and Highway 25 city has it all. Greene St Cushing Ln 13th St Walker St Broad St makes Augusta a natural choice. The 6th St Telfair St Woodrow city is centrally located withinHarper 2.5 St hours Wilson Home of Atlanta, Charlotte, Savannah and Walton Way Signers The Bell Auditorium 5th St Charleston. Augusta Regional Airport Monument also hosts Delta and American Airlines. Ellis St 4th St Old Medical College James Brown Old Academy of Richmond County D’Antignac St Arena Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art 13th St Old Government House 6 AUGUSTA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU VISITAUGUSTA.COMTelfair St7 Pine St Walker St 8th St 10th St Button Gwinnett St Carrie St Watkins St 7th St “ Thank you for all your help with our Gulf Region Conference. It What Our Clients Are Saying was certainly a pleasure to work with you. You were very helpful during our planning sessions and we were glad you were able to be with us during the conference. We appreciate all your efforts in helping to make our conference a success.” —Clayso Rice, Mole Family Reunion “ Thanks for all your help. Because of you we had a very enjoyable reunion. The trip to the museum was the highlight of our day. Everyone had a wonderful time at the Saturday Market. We left Augusta with a new love; many of us vowed, we will be back. ” —Esther Powers, Meeting Planner, African Methodist Episcopal Church “ I just wanted to send you a personal thank you for the warm welcome and beautiful, organized workshop. Please know that we will definitely be reaching out to you in the months and days ahead in the planning stages of our super family reunion.” —Pat Cara, Conference Co-Chair Canal Music Cruise The CSRA Shag Club’s Summer Workshop couldn’t have gone “ any better. We have gotten so many emails and comments that proclaim this as the best workshop ever held! Thank you so much for your assistance during the planning of our workshop.” —Helen Still, Board Chair They are a great resource, very cooperative, always putting your “ meeting first asking what can they do to help and what can they do to make your meeting better. ” —Doreen Hester, Family Reunion Planner 2016 & 2017 Thank you for your coordination and on-site assistance during ConventionSouth “ our Fall conference… The conference was an overall success and Readers’ Choice we couldn’t have done it without you! ” Award —Association County Commissioners of Georgia 8 AUGUSTA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU VISITAUGUSTA.COM 9 Partridge Inn Hotels After exploring Augusta’s With over 7,000 guest rooms, River Region, we want guests it’s easy to find the perfect to come back to a place where accommodations, at affordable they can relax. rates, to fit your travel needs. Augusta is home to several Go to visitaugusta.com/stay modern chain hotels with all the to explore more options. conveniences groups desire. Or opt for a historic inn for a taste of true Southern charm and hospitality. 10 AUGUSTA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU VISITAUGUSTA.COM 11 Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Nature Evening hikes and music cruises. Kayaking. Hiking. However you prefer to enjoy nature, don’t miss these top 5 things to do outdoors.